Woman gets probation for urging niece to steal purse from school

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) Â? A woman who admitted prodding her 14-year-old niece to help her steal a purse from Northrop High School has been sentenced to probation and community service.

Leida R. Ramer, 41, pleaded guilty Friday to aiding theft, a felony, in the March 15 theft from the school. As part of a plea agreement, she was sentenced to 18 months of probation.

Magistrate Robert Schmoll also ordered Ramer to perform 20 hours of community service a week when not employed Â? at which point Ramer interrupted him.

"I'm on disability," she said.

"Ma'am, you helped your niece steal," Schmoll replied. "You're going to get a job or go to jail. That you got a juvenile involved in this really bothers me."

According to court documents, Ramer was videotaped March 15 in the school's hallway, kicking a purse from an area where track team members had left their belongings. Her 14-year-old niece was videotaped picking up the purse and hiding it as they left the building, court documents stated.

The niece later confessed to her principal at Shawnee Middle School that she had taken the purse and that her aunt had encouraged her to steal it, court documents state.

In addition, the girl said Ramer told her she wouldn't get in any trouble and that they would return the purse later, according to court documents.

Ramer has already paid the $50 ordered in restitution, according to her attorney.